Walk through the display gardens and forest trails of Lake Wilderness Arboretum right now, and you may catch a glimpse of several plants that are currently blooming.

The cool, wet western Washington weather creates ideal conditions for mosses, lichens and algae to grow on tree trunks, limbs and other surfaces. Orthotrichum and homalothecium mosses are prevalent, while usnea is one of the feathery light green lichen that hangs delicately from branches. Algae simply need copious amounts of moisture to grow. These primitive plants contain chlorophyll and make their own food.

Witch hazel blooms near the meadow through March. This shrub shows off delicate, sweetly fragrant yellow flowers, which grow along the stems. Best in full sun, witch hazel looks nice in a border or a woodland garden, offering attractive summer foliage and fall color.

Winter honeysuckle, known as lonicera fragrantissima, blooms in the Legacy Garden through February.

Visit LakeWildernessArboretum.org, email info@lakewildernessarboretum.org or call 253- 293-5103 to volunteer.